Bryan Rayhill

Bryan Craig Rayhill was born February 22, 1957, in Martin, South Dakota, the second child of Leland and Marilyn (Solid) Rayhill. He grew up on their farm-ranch east of Martin and he attended the Tuthill Grade School.

As a junior, Bryan went to Northfield, MN and attended school and stayed with his Uncle Myron and Aunt Carol Solid. Bryan would go into Minneapolis, MN to Chess Tournaments which he enjoyed much. Bryan then returned to Martin his senior year and graduated from Bennett County High School in 1976.

After high school Bryan joined the Navy for a short time where he received an honorable discharge. Then Bryan traveled to California where he worked in a restaurant at Yosemite Park. But his love for horses took him to Oswego, Illinois, where he worked on a horse farm for seventeen years. He returned closer to home where he was employed first at a hog farm at Milesville until it closed, then worked on a hog farm near White River, SD. But working with animals is hard physical work and Bryan's body took its toll.

Bryan retired and lived in Martin for a time, later moving into Haisch Haus in Bonesteel, SD, where he passed away on January 23, 2017.

Bryan's nickname was "Sputnik" as he was born the year of the first satellite that launched.

Survivors include his parents, Leland and Marilyn Rayhill of Martin; one brother Barry Rayhill and wife Laurie of Colorado; three sisters, Marcy Handcock and her husband Clem of Long Valley, LeAnn Stout and her husband Jerry of Kadoka, Gina Risse and her husband Nick of Martin, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bryan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elmer and Alice Solid and Everett and Minnie Rayhill all of Martin.

Funeral services will be held Monday January 30, 2017, at the New American Legion, Martin, SD, 10:00 AM. Burial will be held in the Martin Community Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Haisch Haus Assisted Living, and donations may be sent in care of Bennett County Funeral Service, PO Box 65 Martin, SD 57551

Previous Events

Cemetery Details